Minister leaves door open to tabling new police search powers bill after 1st attempt faced backlash

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is adamant Canada’s police and intelligence agencies are getting additional search powers, leaving the door open to introducing a new lawful access bill after his government’s first attempt faced backlash. The Liberals’ current lawful access legislation, Bill C-2, had a rocky launch with civil liberties groups, privacy advocates and the Conservative Opposition all arguing it amounts to government overreach. Lawful access is one of the most intrusive powers afforded to police and intelligence agencies, allowing them — with legal sign-off — to seize Canadians’ private information, including their electronic communications. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service…